Book Review: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Before I say anything else, I want to thank Alessandra Torre and the group ‘Shhh’ as I was gifted this on behalf of them as a book I have wanted to read but have not yet.

Another Colleen hit, I don’t see how that woman could create anything less than brilliant after all those amazing reads I have had since ‘Maybe Someday’. ‘November 9’ is a unique tale about two people who come together on a date which is cursed but they turn it in to a date to catch up with each other every year, as they move towards achieving their goals in life. Ben and Fallon meet coincidently one November 9th, at 18 years of age. They then spend an eventful day together and make some vows to improve their lives and catch up the same date the next year, and the next for 5 years. Ben’s goal is to complete a romance story of him and Fallon, Fallon’s goal is to continue auditioning for roles in acting.

Despite the cheese, this is something which really seems to have worked for me. I know I’m into a book when I can’t stop reading it, and even though there are some aspects in this which could be considered cringey, I honestly think in this context it worked. Even the characters admitted to this, so I am not the only one. Because why the hell can something not be cheesy but real at the same time?

Oh and read this little passage I took from the book:

He tilts his head. “But you obviously like the bad boys if you like reading about them”

Actually, that’s not true,” I tell him. ” I enjoy reading books like that because it’s not at all the life I lead. It’s completely different than any situation I’ll ever be in, thank God. But I get entertainment out of it.”

How much can we relate to this?

I love how Ben brings out so much greatness in to Fallon’s life. How he makes her better and more confident. It wasn’t just attractiveness between the two. He helped her at a time where she had incredibly low self-esteem due to life’s shitty handling by regaining her confidence in herself and helping her set out to live her life and not be afraid. Beauty is only skin deep and Ben helps Fallon realise that particular fact.

The only downside I would say is how expensive the ebook was. I paid £8 for an ebook, which is even more than what I usually pay for a paperback. It’s a rip off and no ebook should cost that much at all.

In terms of the actual story though, I loved it if you couldn’t already tell. There’s a tale about believing in yourself and growing up and being a better person. On top of that a very moving love story, making it a brilliant book. Another hit with Ms Colleen.

Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch.